Residents press questions on stormwater, trees and historic bank at 193 Evelyn Road reconstruction hearing

A reconstruction proposal for 193 Evelyn Road drew detailed technical questions and neighborhood concern at the Aug. 13 Conservation Commission meeting. The applicant representative described a rebuild of a single‑family home, demolition and replacement of a deck with a patio, installation of an on‑site stormwater recharge system with chambers and a planting plan intended to double the existing planted area.

The representative said the project adds about "1,175 square feet of additional impervious" area and proposes receiving recharge in a banked chamber array. The commission focused on a discrepancy between the site plan and the stormwater report over total impervious area (site plan figures of ~4,413 sq ft versus stormwater plan ~3,874 sq ft) and discussed whether the new stormwater rules and a hydrograph analysis would apply. Commissioners asked for clarification of the final impervious total and for a stormwater analysis showing post‑construction recharge and runoff comparisons to preconstruction conditions.

Neighbors asked questions about tree removals, planting survival in shaded, compacted soils, and a historic stone wall that retains a brook. Rich Fontacchio and other residents sought assurances that construction would not undermine the retaining wall or harm stream habitat. The applicant said monitoring and two‑year plant establishment would be part of conditions and that further details and corrected impervious totals will be supplied at the next hearing. The commission continued the item to Aug. 27 to allow submission of clarified stormwater calculations, tree sizes/species and an updated planting plan.